There's a dark cloud over Allentown. Mayor Edwin "Fed Ed" Pawlowski's former Managing Director, Francis X Dougherty, pleaded guilty this morning to bid-rigging a street lights contract that would favor The Efficiency Network in exchange for $9,000 in campaign contributions to his boss. He's the fourth former city official to admit to political corruption, and the seventh person overall Yet there Fed Ed was at a Business Matters' Democratic Mayoral Forum today, claiming that all is well. "What cloud?" he asked.
He's in complete denial. Just the day before, in a published Morning Call interview, he claimed there was no need for reform.
"First off, you're assuming there's widespread corruption in City Hall. There is not. You're also assuming there is contracts being exchanged for favors. There is not. I have said from day one that I have done nothing wrong in regards to this particular investigation. You really have a select group of people, a select few, that have potentially done illegal things. I don't know if I'd change anything at this particular point in time."
While he insults your intelligence by claiming black is white, the realty is that this "select few" includes his two closest advisers, Dougherty and campaign manager Mike Fleck.
And the investigation continues.
Thursday night, Fed Ed will have, believe it or not, a fundraiser.
Incredibly, only one of the Mayoral candidates seems to get it Republican-turned-Democrat Charles Thiel, like the blueblood he is, laments the "bickering." Sam Bennett only says that Allentown should have no Mayor for Life and actually compliments Fed Ed. David Jones thinks he should be elected because he's black and claims to respect Fed Ed. Josh Siegel says he should be elected because he's young.
One candidate gets it. Ray O'Connell. He is willing to talk about the real issue. Ray O'Connell flatly says the current administration is corrupt. That corruption has put Allentown development in neutral. He believes it is time to restore Allentown's integrity and give the City's beleaguered employees a reason to be proud again.
In the meantime, Fed Ed better have Attorney Jack McMahon on his speed dial. One of my sources tells me it is Fed Ed's turn next.
When?
He says as soon as Friday, but I'll be happy as long as it is before the primary. It is irresponsible for federal authorities to let this matter linger as long as they have Allentown is unable to move forward until this matter is behind them.
In fact, citizens in Allentown should consider asking Judge Juan Sanchez to start refusing to honor sentencing continuances unless federal investigators wrap things up.
Today's one-liner: "The shortest way to the distinguishing excellence of any writer is through his hostile critics." Richard LeGallienne
Local Government TV
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Wednesday, March 22, 2017
52 comments:
You own views are appreciated, especially if they differ from mine. But remember, commenting is a privilege, not a right. I will delete personal attacks or off-topic remarks at my discretion. Comments that play into the tribalism that has consumed this nation will be declined. So will comments alleging voter fraud unless backed up by concrete evidence. If you attack someone personally, I expect you to identify yourself. I will delete criticisms of my comment policy, vulgarities, cut-and-paste jobs from other sources and any suggestion of violence towards anyone. I will also delete sweeping generalizations about mainstream parties or ideologies, i.e. identity politics. My decisions on these matters are made on a case by case basis, and may be affected by my mood that day, my access to the blog at the time the comment was made or other information that isn’t readily apparent.
I watched all the interviews regarding how to combat corruption. I thought Bennett, Jones , and Siegel had articulate and informed anwsers. I expected Bennett and Siegel to be informed. I was impressed with hiw well Siegel was versed on the issue and prrsented himself. I came away with Thiel suggesting we already have a process in place and it is more about the person in office. O'Connell suggested the same and more or less defended Council. Hyman suggested we have enough laws on the books and Garcia said he would do a good job. Like BOH, I was appalled at Pawlowski's response suggesting there was nothing wrong. Not even acknowlment for a change in process because of public perception.
ReplyDeleteIf you are an Allentown voter, I propose you watch the vides at Mcall online. I did not see the canaditate forum.
Im completely amazed that people have FedEd lawn signs. Moreover, who in their right mind intends to contribute to his candidacy/legal fund? Truly amazing.
ReplyDeleteWhere is this fund raiser tonite?
I would think a facinating study woukd be to give a diverse group (who do not know the candidates) some background on Allentown and then provide them audio of the candidate responses without. I suspect the ranking would be remarkable and contrary to local public perception with exception of Pawlowski ranking last. Maybe a good excercise for FM.
ReplyDeleteOpps corrction to 2:48. I expect Bennett and Jones to be well versed. Siegel is newcomer and exceeded my expectations.
ReplyDelete2:49, It's at
ReplyDelete556 Union Boulevard
Allentown, Pennsylvania
ed will win
ReplyDeleteMake Allentown Great Again... Demand the immediate resignation of FedEd Paw"low"ski...
ReplyDeleteAnd people want us to elect Courtney Robinson, FedEd's crony, to council?!
ReplyDeleteBernie - suggest a tweak or two in first paragraph. First, I didn't know this Business Matters Forum was actually held today (!).
ReplyDeleteSecond, about 2/3 the way through you have been speaking about this guy just charged, and then you use the word "he" but you are shifting to Pawlowski. Great article. unbelievable this guy is running for election and people would actually donate to his campaign. Money down the toilet. Tax write-off either way I guess. Could save it and donate to his commissary account at prison.
The deluded typical Chicago politician; deny, deny deny, only shows how far he's out of reality. Eight co-conspirators, including his ex-right hand man and campaign manager, are going to testify against him and he keeps on telling the saps in Allentown he has done nothing wrong. Wait until the Cedar Beach debacle unravels and more of his precious cronies are indicted. This is not to say that Ex-AEDC director, Sarah Hailstorm, used the Allentown Parking Authority as another source in this saga. One thing about the judge in this case, he does not appreciate unrepented criminals waste his precious time with stupid nefarious denials!
ReplyDelete3:10 - Fed Ed is going down faster than a cheerleader on a team bus
ReplyDelete5:32 - political contributions are not tax-deductible.
Thiel is Ed's crony as well.
ReplyDelete5:32, The BM forum was in fact today. You're right about my use of the word He and I clarified. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteBernie who is TEN's consultant that the indictment references?
ReplyDelete556 Union Boulevard is across the Street from the old Western Electric Building in front of Coca Cola Park. And I think it is where the Drive In used to be. Is Ed having a Fundraiser down where people did all that illegal dumping? That would be kind of appropriate!
ReplyDeletePatrick Regan and Troy Geanopulos are the two contributors.
ReplyDeleteThey are the CEO and VP of TEN. But who is the consultant who was also contributing?
ReplyDeleteBernie it funny how now the police chief is resigning too he must be in with the mayor they are all worried now cause one falls all the others go down too
ReplyDelete6:30,I am sorry but would be guessing as to the consultant.
ReplyDelete6:44,I doubt that the Chief in "in" with Fed Ed or he would not be leaving.
Bernie the chief announced he's resigning this morning got info for apd source told me he wants out before the feds come in and clean house remember he wanted to give Chief a 30% raise
ReplyDeleteTrue, but my limited observations tell me that Fed Ed always made him feel uneasy.
ReplyDeleteBernie could the consultant be Jim Hickey/sovereign enterprises? contributions corresponding to the dates in the indictment where made by them.
ReplyDeleteBernie, if you're going to kill the king, you need to kill the king and not those around him.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I read between the lines, sounds like Dougherty's lawyer is confirming him testifying against Fed Ed for a plea deal.
ReplyDeleteThat would be sheer speculation. From what little I know, I believe Fleck was the "consultant."
ReplyDelete"Bernie, if you're going to kill the king, you need to kill the king and not those around him."
ReplyDeleteAmen.
Let us be clear, the Mayor has not been charged with a single crime. Despite this blogs years and years of attacks on his integrity.
ReplyDeleteWhat integrity?
ReplyDeleteHopefully we don't go from Pay me Pawlowski to Scam Bennett.
ReplyDelete8:17 That's the only reason to vote for Pawlowski
ReplyDelete"You're so vain, you probably think this song/blog is about you"
ReplyDeleteAny Clouds in your Coffee Mayor Ed?
Bernie I heard next in line is cynthia Mota next in line
ReplyDeleteMota? For what.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteFedEd said: "First off, you're assuming there's widespread corruption in City Hall. There is not. You're also assuming there is contracts being exchanged for favors. There is not. I have said from day one that I have done nothing wrong in regards to this particular investigation. You really have a select group of people, a select few, that have potentially done illegal things. I don't know if I'd change anything at this particular point in time."
JoshLCowen says: Ed is channeling his best Bill Clinton with his use of the word 'is' rather than 'was.' Remember 'it depends on what the meaning of the word is is....."
Save your attempts to turn a criminal matter into a partisan issue for Molovinsky's echo chamber. I will delete your OT partisan rants here.
ReplyDeleteDarth Voter S'berg should be the last one to pandering to the voters and pontificate on ethics. Sheesh!
ReplyDeleteOn a number of occasions comments on this blog suggested Fran D. was dirty.
ReplyDeleteThose accusations were always blithely dismissed.
The chicken comes home to roost.
"...and another one gone, and another one gone. Another one bites the dust..."
ReplyDeleteThere are four legs to the corrupt stinking pool table.
ReplyDeleteFleck Fran Ed & Lisa.
Follow the $$$.
How long does the reign of terror continue?
It's a shame Ray has been forced into a position of having to defend his political career against corruption. Charlie's camp (Thiel, Mann and Schlossberg) should really stop using "phone polls" to accuse him of being corrupt and maligning other candidates.
ReplyDelete"On a number of occasions comments on this blog suggested Fran D. was dirty.
ReplyDeleteThose accusations were always blithely dismissed.
The chicken comes home to roost."
You are correct.I knew he was talking to the feds, but thought it was as a cooperating witness. You were right and I was wrong. On the other hand, I put my name behind what I say. You do not. It would be defamation for me to recklessly accuse another person of crimes involving dishonesty. You did so anonymously. You turned out to be right, but your accusation was likely nothing more than a guess.
7:38 I think you mean Bennett phone calls, not Theil. Only phone call people I know got about Theil was a long one that seemed to be a real poll, asking about all of the candidates. Not a hit poll at all.
ReplyDeleteTheil is a Pawlowski dope from way back.
ReplyDeleteRay is the only clear choice.
Pawlowski, Fran, and Fleck hurt real people in real ways, good decent people,
ReplyDeleteinnocent working people.
The reign of terror hasn't ended.
I would hesitate before I accused anyone of choosing not to use their name of anything other then a will to feed their family.
9:29, I won't hesitate in telling you that your accusations against Dougherty or any other city official are defamatory if they are made recklessly and are untrue. In this case, you turned out to be right, but I was unwilling to go with something from a person who lacks the basic integrity to say who he is. That's the mark of a coward. I take responsibility for what I write. You don't. That's the difference. It is easy to post all kinds of crap when you refuse to be responsible for your own words. And I suspect you had no facts and were just guessing.
ReplyDeleteI've been saying it on this blog for probably 2 years and I'll say it again, Fed Ed is way too full of himself, will never resign, is in total denial, thinks all citizens of Allentown think he's God's gift to the Queen City, and will have to be dragged out of city hall in handcuffs kicking and screaming.
ReplyDeleteI've seen a few FedEd election signs popping up around the West End. I am tempted to pull over and ask these people if they are deaf, blind, or have been paid to put those signs on their lawns.
Well, well, the truth about Francis has finally seen the light of day.surprise. Surprise.
ReplyDeleteSurprise.
Bernie-
ReplyDeleteDo you think the federal government has a plan to indict the mayor before the primary? Because really, the city does not need the circus which will ensue once he is elected to another term, only to then have to be removed from office. And I do feel that (unfortunately) he stands a decent chance to be re-elected.
VOR
The mayor's right hand man must have been leaving court after his guilty plea just about the time a smug Fed Ed was taping his Morning Call video.
ReplyDeleteCorruption?
What corruption?
I see his bookkeeper was sitting in the press seats beaming and capturing the proceedings on her majesty's cell phone.
No way in hell you could make this s!/t up.
Is that the same Fran that worked for Lehigh County?
ReplyDeleteThe things that happen when I take time off from the Lehigh Valley area and honeymoon with my wife in Ireland.
ReplyDeleteDennis Pearson
Dennis, take one more week off and Fed Ed will finally be behind bars.
ReplyDelete